You Rong's expression shifted slightly, and he said nervously, "What does Your Majesty mean? Are you still angry with this subject? What must this subject do to appease you? This subject is willing to do anything!"
Lin Qinghe chuckled, pinched You Rong's chin, and said with a smile, "Are you sure you want me to cancel the册封皇夫 (investiture of the Imperial Consort)? You don't want to be my Imperial Consort?"
You Rong's pupils constricted, his heart tightening, "Your Majesty means... you want to invest this subject as your Imperial Consort?!"
Lin Qinghe thought to herself, if I don't invest him as the Imperial Consort, how will that last one percent of the progress bar increase?
Lin Qinghe collected her thoughts and said playfully, "Yes, I want to invest you as my Imperial Consort. Do you agree or not? If you disagree, I'll have to find someone else..."
You Rong interrupted Lin Qinghe forcefully, "Besides this subject, no one else can be Your Majesty's Imperial Consort!"
"Then why are you hesitating... I thought you didn't want to."
"This subject is not unwilling, just overjoyed!" You Rong said solemnly, "Your Majesty, this subject is willing!"
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction and pinched You Rong's face, "Then it will be hard work for Prime Minister You from now on. You will have to share the burden of state affairs with me and also manage the harem."
You Rong's eyes flickered, and he took Lin Qinghe's hand and kissed it, "This subject is extremely happy to do so... Since Your Majesty has said that this subject will manage the harem, I will arrange for those young masters in the harem to be sent out of the palace tomorrow."
Lin Qinghe couldn't help but laugh at this, "You already know. I kept them in the palace merely to listen to them play music and admire flowers. Why are you still jealous?"
The original owner, though acting out of line and with an arrogant and overbearing personality, was ultimately very conservative in matters of romance. Despite having numerous male consorts, she had never had any physical relations with them.
You Rong said, "Your Majesty has me, and that is enough. From now on, whether Your Majesty wants to listen to music or admire flowers, this subject will accompany you."
"Alright, alright, do as you wish. If you want to arrange for them to leave the palace, then arrange for them to leave. I had intended to send them away earlier, but some of them would be unable to make a living outside the palace, so I kept them here to be cared for. Just make arrangements for them outside the palace and ensure they are settled." Lin Qinghe thought for a moment and added, "And Fu Qingyu... did you injure him this morning? He is kind and easily bullied, so you must find a good place for him."
You Rong frowned slightly, looking a little displeased, "...Your Majesty is exceptionally concerned about him."
"It's not that I've repeatedly used him to make you jealous, causing him to be frightened and endure your cold glances. I must compensate him somehow," Lin Qinghe said with a helpless smile.
You Rong was not an unreasonable person. Knowing that Lin Qinghe had no intimate relationship with those male consorts, even if he felt some jealousy, he wouldn't resort to taking action against them.
"This subject will settle them properly. Your Majesty must not worry about them anymore!"
Lin Qinghe's eyes gleamed playfully, "Hmm... very good. Prime Minister You already possesses the noble and virtuous qualities of an Imperial Consort. You are already capable of managing the harem for me."
You Rong did not get angry; instead, he echoed, "Then shouldn't Your Majesty reward this subject handsomely?"
Lin Qinghe was in a good mood and readily agreed, "Okay! What reward does Prime Minister You desire? I promise you anything! Tell me!"
You Rong narrowed his deep eyes, "Does Your Majesty truly mean it?"
"Of course! My word is my bond!"
You Rong's eyes flickered, and he suddenly scooped Lin Qinghe into his arms. Startled, she wrapped her arms around his neck, asking in confusion, "You Rong? What are you doing?"
You Rong strode towards the bed in the inner chamber with Lin Qinghe in his arms. His voice was husky as he said, "The reward I desire is simple... I want Your Majesty to favor me tonight."
The smile on Lin Qinghe's face froze. Her aching waist felt even more pronounced.
She chuckled dryly, "Hehe... well, You Rong, put me down first. What I said earlier doesn't count. I meant what material item you want, I can bestow it upon you..."
If she agreed to You Rong's request now, she wouldn't be able to get out of bed tomorrow!
You Rong's lips curved slightly, "Your Majesty's word is your bond. You cannot go back on your promise."
"But... it's not yet time for rest. I... I still need to review memorials. You... Mmmph..."
Lin Qinghe's words were cut off as they both fell onto the bed. The candlelight flickered in the hall, and the scene within the room was infinitely beautiful.
***
Three days later, in the Hall of Political Affairs.
After the ministers had presented their reports, Lin Qinghe met You Rong's gaze. Under his doting eyes, she cleared her throat and said, "I have an announcement to make regarding the investiture of the Imperial Consort. From this day forward, the Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Rites will jointly prepare for it, and all matters will be decided by Prime Minister You."
As soon as the words fell, the ministers in the Hall of Political Affairs began to discuss amongst themselves, whispering and speculating about which young master had been chosen as the Imperial Consort.
Imperial Tutor Xu had already guessed the answer, but he still stepped forward, cupped his hands, and asked, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask, regarding the candidate for the Imperial Consort... which young master has Your Majesty chosen?"
Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong and met his gaze, understanding the urging in his eyes. She chuckled helplessly and said, "The candidate for my Imperial Consort is precisely... Prime Minister You."
The moment she spoke, the Hall of Political Affairs fell silent. Apart from Imperial Tutor Xu, You Rong, and Lin Qinghe, all other ministers appeared utterly astonished.
They had all heard that Your Majesty favored Prime Minister You, but the fact that Prime Minister You would be invested as the Imperial Consort without any sign of reluctance truly surprised them.
After the shock wore off, some ministers whispered, "According to the ancestral rules, the harem must not interfere in state affairs. Will Prime Minister You in the future..."
Given You Rong's foresight and talent, it would be a great loss to their Dongli if he were to be confined to the harem.
Lin Qinghe saw through their thoughts and said, "All my esteemed officials need not worry. Although You Rong will be invested as the Imperial Consort, he will still remain the Prime Minister of the realm and will continue to assist me in governing the country in court."
Upon hearing this, many ministers felt their hearts relax. They all cupped their hands and said, "Your subjects congratulate Your Majesty and Prime Minister You on their joyous union."
Lin Qinghe and You Rong exchanged smiles. You Rong felt an inexpressible sense of fulfillment.
He wanted to legitimately and completely possess her, to have her belong only to him!
The Imperial Observatory set a propitious date, and the investiture ceremony for the Imperial Consort would be held in one month. From then on, preparations would commence with the Ministry of Rites.
You Rong brought his father and mother back to the capital. Worried that his parents might not immediately accept the news of him becoming the Imperial Consort, You Rong decided to return to his residence first to speak with them before bringing them to the palace to meet Lin Qinghe.
You Rong, who had been living in the palace for half a month, was reluctant to leave. He held Lin Qinghe's hand tightly and said, "Your Majesty, this subject will return to the residence for one night and will return to the palace tomorrow to accompany you. When you rest tonight, remember to have the palace attendants guard your chambers, lest you kick off your covers and catch a chill."
Lin Qinghe smiled helplessly, "Alright! I am not a three-year-old child. I will naturally pay attention to these things. Hurry back now. Your parents are waiting for you at the residence. Go back and talk with them properly. However, I'm stating this in advance: even if your parents do not agree to you becoming the Imperial Consort, I will still forcefully invest you as the Imperial Consort. You cannot escape!"
You Rong lowered his head and kissed Lin Qinghe's brow, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This subject will make sure my parents agree. Your Majesty can just wait to come and welcome this subject into the palace."
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction, "...Good."